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[Lee]

Whats the job like to change strut pan bearings on a series 3 1.7ie, any speial tools needed, anyone here done the jopb can give any hints?

Thanks, Lee
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`97 155 2.0 16v sport
`91 33 1.7 I.E

[john 33_16v]

Hi,

These are only on the earlier struts with 4 nuts on the strut top (under the bonnet).

You basically need to remove the struts, compress the springs to remove the shocker/ strip down, then rebuild with new bearings.

You will need spring compressors, and a ball joint splitter for the track rod ends. Other than that just basic tools and a LOT OF CARE with the spring compressors!!!!

Good Luck

John
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If it aint broke, fiddle with it until it is!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
93 33 16v Mirtle Met
08 Fiat Grande Punto Exotica Red
90 Yamaha FZR600 Genesis- Silky white/red/blue

[paulhide]

Although you don't have to have a ball joint splitter as you can undo the steering arms by the steering rack - two 22mm (?) bolts with a simple locking pin arrangement, which you pull out first.
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Owner's Club 33 Registrar. Now from P4 & S2 1.7 QV
http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5188

[Graffiaturo]

springcompressors are not really needed, especially not if you have loweringsprings fitted
because with loweringsprings, there's no preload on the springs, with standard springs there's just a cm of 2 preload, so just stay out of the way of the strut, it'll just jump 15cm ahead

but if you have springcompressors it is saver of course
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currently owned:
Alfasud Ti '82
Alfasud Ti QV '83
Arna 1.2 SL '86
Alfa 33 1.7 QV '87
Alfa 90 2.0carbs '87
Alfa 33 1.7 IE '92
Alfa 145 1.6 TS 16v '99

[Ben_nz]

Have a look here for some pictures I took when replacing the front struts:
http://www.axys.co.nz/ben/alfa33/struts/
My main tips are:
1. Loosen (not remove) the centre nut at the top of the strut while the strut is still on the car. This nut will be very tight and difficult to remove, so trying to loosen it first will tell you whether to bother with the rest of the job!
2. If you're at all interested in preserving the old strut pan bearings, be careful when disassembling the strut. Undoing the strut without spring compressors will probably make the bearing fly open and all the little balls inside it will roll away down cracks in the floor.
3. Use the right ball joint separator - the kind that involves tightening a bolt to apply pressure not hammering wedges around the joint to break it apart.
4. Be very careful when bolting the strut back to the hub. The hub material seems to be a form of compressed metal shavings bulked out by adding sawdust and cornflour, and it is very easy to destroy the socket threads and the bolts by tightening them at slightly the wrong angle. Disconnecting the sway bar makes this easier.
Good luck!
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"Now, all that is left to do ... is wait that something else brokens, to fix up again!"

[bobbber]

http://www.alfa-restoration.co.uk/strut2/index.html

Bob
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Fiat Bravo 165 Sport